Ruined in Vows (Marchetti Family #3)

16. Luca

Chapter 16

Luca

S tanding in the lobby of the hotel, I smirk at the two big bulky guards, watching me like a hawk. I have been thoroughly patted down and checked for weapons twice now. They think that they are intimidating me, but they’re not. Not in the slightest. At this point I feel invincible, like nothing can touch me and truthfully, with everything that has been going on with Caterina and Vincenzo, death seems the easiest, most peaceful option rather than dealing with the siblings. Maybe I am suicidal or I just don’t give a fuck anymore, but either way, these men don’t or won’t scare me no matter how hard they try.

My gaze shifts to the larger one when he presses his fingers to his ear and it's only then that I notice the earpiece. He glares at me, nodding as he no doubt takes instructions. I’m proven right with his next words.

“Boss is ready for you,” he grunts, turning and moving toward the elevator banks, expecting me to follow. I do, but only because I’m curious, and want the answers I’m looking for.

Though I’m skeptical about this whole thing, I can’t deny that I felt something when I saw that girl. What that something was, I’m not sure, but it was there, a living, breathing thing inside me, drawing me toward her.

Stepping into the elevator, I watch as the doors close behind us and one of the guards punches a button. The car ascends slowly, the silence thick as we rise higher. My heart pounds in my chest, the noise loud in my ears as my pulse races erratically in anticipation. I rub at the spot, trying to alleviate the tightness, but it’s no use. My whole body buzzes with something unknown, as if there is a live wire beneath my skin sending shocks through me.

Usually, I would be certain something like this feeling has never happened to me before, but a whisper of something familiar tugs at my brain, telling me that this is not the first time. I frown, confused, though I don’t have time to dwell on it because the elevator comes to a stop, the doors sliding open to reveal white walls and marble floors.

One of the guards steps out, waving his arm for me to follow as the other one stays close behind me. Glancing over my shoulder, I shoot him an annoyed look, but his face doesn’t change, staying the blank mask he has worn since I stepped into the hotel lobby. We make our way down the hallway, and I take note of all the guards spread out and the limited rooms on this level. At a guess, I would say it’s one floor below the penthouse, and one of the more exclusive rooms in the hotel. No doubt the entire floor has been rented out by the family.

We come to a stop at a door being heavily guarded by four men. One of them eyes me, a softness in his blue eyes and if I didn’t know any better, I would say relief covers his features. I stare at him, waiting for something, anything, to click inside my head and remember him because it’s clear from the look of recognition on his face he knows, or thinks he knows, me.

The door is pulled open, and instead of seeing the beautiful angel I expected, I see a man who is very clearly her brother. His blue eyes, so much like hers, take me in, assessing me. Something passes over his face, and just like Allegra, he too looks like he has seen a ghost. It’s me. I’m the ghost, apparently.

“Dante?” he rasps, and my brows jump at the unexpected emotion in his voice.

“So, everyone keeps saying,” I drawl sardonically, shoving my hands in my pockets.

His cold blue orbs narrow, and he clears his throat, muttering out, “Asshole.”

I bark out a laugh, the tightness in my chest loosening slightly. “Well,” I wave my arm, my brow raising condescendingly. “Are you going to invite me inside?”

His jaw clenches but he steps back, allowing me inside. I move forward, walking into the room with an air of arrogance and confidence I don’t quite feel, only to pause when my gaze lands on the angel standing in the middle of the suite with a hope in her eyes that penetrates the muscle in my chest.

My pulse kicks up to an unnatural speed, my chest heaving as if I just ran a marathon. Though she is a stranger, my heart and soul feel like they are connected to her on a deeper level, one I don’t understand. I inwardly roll my eyes at my thoughts. Jesus Christ, I sound like a pussy. But as she stares at me with such optimism, and… my brows furrow, love? I can’t bring myself to care. Because at this moment, only she and I exist. It’s just her and me. And whatever this weird connection is.

A throat clearing snaps me from my trance, breaking the spell she pulled me under. I look over to find the man who pulled the door open, an arm wrapped possessively around the blonde woman by his side and the older lady from the other night, all watching me with a look I can’t quite decipher.

I clear my throat, suddenly feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable. I shouldn’t have come here. No good can come from looking for answers, I’m sure of it. But… I need to know if what this angel told me is the truth.

“So…” I say, glancing around the suite and only now noticing the guards also situated in here as if I am a danger. Maybe I am. I don’t know anymore.

“Take a seat.” the brother demands more than asks.

I do as he says, wanting to get this over with and take a seat on the plush couch. Allegra steps toward me, a big smile on her face as she moves to take a seat next to me. But she halts in her tracks when her brother snaps.

“Over here, Allegra.” His tone leaves no room for argument, and I smirk when she rolls her beautiful eyes.

Little firecracker.

“Jesus, Nic. He won’t hurt me,” she argues, but does as he commands anyway.

“You don’t know that,” he grates out, as he sits on the large couch opposite me with the three women. His icy gaze comes to me and I’m sure most people would shrink back from it, but not me. He searches my face, checking me over as if he is committing it to memory. His eyes close for a brief second and he exhales a long breath. I could be wrong, but he seems relieved and also very fucking confused. I don’t understand any of it, but from the look on both his and my angel's face, I know without a doubt they are going to do everything in their power to make me.

The silence is suffocating as they watch me as if I am a cornered animal about to bolt, so I decide to break the ice, ready to get on with this. My gaze lands on Allegra. I jerk my head. “You said that you know me?”

She nods, her smile soft and so damn beautiful my chest tightens. “Yes. You…” she trails off before clearing her throat. “You might not know it, but I do. You are Dante Vitale. My brother Nico’s best friend since birth.” She nods her head toward him. “And my… well the love of my life,” she whispers the last part, her cheeks turning a delectable shade of pink.

My dick hardens in my pants at her words. I cock my head, confused about my reaction to this woman. Since the moment I woke up, apart from the morning wood I have sported, not once has my wife gotten me hard. I was beginning to think that I was broken, so with my cock thickening... Well let’s just say it’s a revelation. But still there is a small part of me that wants to fight what she is saying. Fuck knows why.

“Why should I believe anything you say?” I hold up my ring finger, not missing the way she blanches or the pain that crosses her beautiful face. “I’m married. Have my own life here. As far as I know this could all be some elaborate plan cooked up by my enemies.”

A barked laugh has my head snapping to Nico. My eyes narrow as he watches me with an amused expression. “If you really thought that then you wouldn’t be here. You’re curious. Something in your gut tells you that my sister is telling the truth. Otherwise, you would have gone on with your life as if the encounter with Allegra never happened. Am I right?”

Scrubbing a palm across my jaw, I exhale a breath, trying to reconcile everything they are saying. I dig deep inside my brain for a memory, anything that will stir recognition inside me, but come up empty. Frustration ignites in my gut. I shoot to my feet, not missing the sound of guns clicking into place and breaking the otherwise silence. I ignore the threat, and instead pace the room as questions with no answers bombard my mind.

Gripping my head, I growl, feeling so overwhelmed that I want to crawl out of my skin. “Fuck.” I hit my head as if I can knock some sense into me only to freeze when a small hand lands on my bicep. My body lights up with the soft touch, igniting a storm of emotions inside me. Calm. Desire. Contentment. Empowered. Renewed. Enchanted… Love?

My head snaps to find Allegra, her blue eyes glassy with tears as she watches me.

“Don’t hurt yourself,” she pleads and I nearly drop to my knees in front of her, ready to promise her anything.

Jesus Christ, I need to get my shit together. One touch and I’m ready to give up my whole life for this woman.

“I don’t know what’s happening,” I admit, panic lacing my voice as anxiety starts to take over.

Allegra smiles. “It’s okay. Everything will be okay.” Her voice is soothing, instantly making me relax.

She takes my hand, leading me back to the couch. Three sets of eyes watch us like we are rare exotic animals, and this is their first sighting, but I disregard them, choosing to focus on the angel who is like a balm to my soul instead. Her hand is like velvet against my calloused ones, and I never want to let it go. I don’t know why, but if what I am feeling right now is any indication, I am leaning toward believing her story about who I am. Her hand feels like it belongs in mine. Our fingers threaded perfectly. My missing puzzle piece is finally slotting into place.

Taking a seat, I suck in a breath, eyeing Nico inquisitively and I know at this moment, I need to go into this and listen to everything they have to say with an open mind. Something tells me I am about to free fall into the unknown, into an abyss of lies and truth. I don’t know whether I am going to survive or not, but for the first time in a long time, this all feels right. And nothing has felt real since the moment I woke up. But with my angel by my side, her small hand in mine, giving me strength, I feel ready to find answers to my questions.

“Tell me everything.”